We’re still harvesting lettuce here on the farm, from the field. We use a combination of row covers and hardy varieties to achieve this, also specific planting dates.

We pick varieties that listed as hardy such as Panisse, Nevada, Cherokee, Sulu, and Garrison. We start the transplants the beginning of August and transplant out a month latter. Salad mix, which is also transplanted, is seeded up till the 20th of August. We try to plant on raised beds, as that keeps the plants dryer and warmer. We don’t cover the lettuce until serious frost, 30 degrees or under, is forecasted. We will add a second cover when temperatures dip under 25 and a third when it hits the teens.

Here’s a closeup of Sulu and Garrison which we like for saladmix. Sulu we are especially happy with- it grows well, stays disease free, and is very crisp. We plant 4 rows on the bed 14 inches apart, with in row spacing of 4-6 inches. Head lettuce is transplanted 8″ apart in row. We hoop with special 96″ hoops, which make sure that they are wide enough to cover the entire bed. The hoops are spaced about 6′ apart.

Here’s a closeup of a new Salanova variety from Europe just introduced into this country. We did a trial for a seed company and this is one that ended up staying in the field. Even with no row cover, it survived 19 degrees multiple nights. Still tastes and looks Great!!! Needless to say, we’re pretty impressed.

About

I’m a farmer, presenter, and blogger who lives to help farmers apply business principles and best practices to farming and agriculture. I have managed a large certified organic farm, presented at farm and agricultural conferences, and consulted with farmers around the country.